IS IT TRUE that we found two ads in the Wednesday, June 29, 2016 Courier’s “legal notices” that have us wondering about the true financial status of certain local entities located in Evansville?  …that two properties scheduled to be sold by the Sheriff at a sale on July 28, 2016 in room 310 of the Civic Center in foreclosure sales have public entities listed as defendants?  …that there may be a perfectly logical explanation for the foreclosures, but we believe the public deserves to hear it from the local entities involved?

IS IT TRUE that 400-564 Jeanette Benton Dr is listed with an outstanding debt of $1.9 million dollars?  …that the plaintiff is Bayview Loan Servicing, and the defendants include Lincoln Estates Redevelopment Partnership, LLC and Old National Bank, Washington Court Redevelopment Corporation, and the Housing Authority of Evansville?

IS IT TRUE that the other foreclosure of interest is filed on nine parcels of property at 420 NW 5th St. by Whitacre Funding LLC, a Delaware LLC and the defendant is ERC I, LLC in the amount of $3.2 million dollars? …that the pictures displayed on the County Assessor’s website of that address appear to be Berry Plastics, and it is reasonable to believe that ERC is Evansville Redevelopment Commission?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing  that  “Drastic Changes”  in city employees health insurance are being considered in the 2017 budget?

IS IT TRUE we wonder when members of City Council ask city department head questions why in the world does the City Attorney  send them back written answers to their questions?

IS IT TRUE that Monday’s City Council meeting was another series of 9-0 votes? …we wonder how all of this consensus is met?  … we believe some well-reasoned dissent is healthy for a free society?

IS IT TRUE that at the same City Council meeting City controller Russ Lloyd declared that we are borrowing 12.5 million dollar based on “hope” that Riverboat revue will rise when the casino comes on land? …that we doubt that a bank would lend that kind of money based on the “hope” of an increased of future income?

IS IT TRUE that yesterday out going State Representative Gail Riecken held a political Fundraising Reception for Ryan Hatfield in Indy? …this event was held at the Indiana City Brewing facility in Indy and was well attended by “political insiders” and ‘“special interest” groups?

IS IT TRUE we would like to congratulate Joe Wallace for being appointed  Chief Executive Officer of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership on July 1?  … Mr. Wallace served as “interim” CEO for 18 months for the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership?  …it looks like Evansville/Vanderburgh County lost another outstanding business executive to another State?

IS IT TRUE City-County Observer is proud to promote all veteran-owned businesses?  … we are pleased to announce that Autumn Barn Farms Popcorn will be awarding popcorn tins each month to lucky winners chosen randomly from those whose birthdays appear on our site for each month?  … we encourage you to send in names and birthdays dates of your friends and family members to us, so they can have a chance to win?  …the following Birthday winners for June will receive a half gallon tin valued at $10, that can be refilled for $7?  …popcorn tins winners for the month of June are: Bob DeGraffenreid, Salome LaMarch, Steven Pirnat, Evelyn Maveety, Marcia Bivins, Tiffany Nunn Stepto, Robert Money, Nathan Bayne, China Phelps, Stan Levco, Jamie Fuchs, Joe Templeton, Breck Bitter, Chris Lantaff, and Melanie Bozsa

FOOTNOTES: Todays “Readers Poll” question: : DO you feel that Evansville City Council is transparent?

Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS” posted in our sections.

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.

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The City-County Observer’s staff was alerted by a passing comment made by Dr. H. Dan Adams at Monday’s City Council meeting that something “hush-hush” may be afoot.  When the Good Doctor asked his fellow Councilors to carefully read the material in their packets concerning Ordinance G-2016-21, which is sponsored by Councilmen Mosby, Weaver, and McGinn, our curiosity was piqued.  It was no small feat to track down the proposed ordinance, and after days we finally got a copy.  Attached below is the link of Ordinance G-2016-21 link for your review.

Ordinance G-2016-21

Please note that the words stricken from the original  ordinance have lines through them and the underlined words are the ones to be added to it.

Much of the rest of the proposed ordinance is devoted to putting numerous limitations on allowing citizens to ask questions or speak to Council concerning matters that come before it.  We believe this dances around the edges of infringing the First Amendment rights of Evansvillians.  We understand that there is a practical need to limit speaking time in instances when an item is controversial, but holding the option of refusing to hear the voice of the people being regulated is NOT in the best interest of the public.

We are concerned that transparency and accountability are being sacrificed to “efficiency and collaboration.” There are more and more items unanimously passed by Council without discussion and/or dissent.   The banning of obscene language, vulgar behavior, and use of signs and posters is understandable.  Muzzling the people who elected them to serve is NOT understandable.  We hope that the mainstream media will join us in calling for the restoration of citizen participation in government, now that we have sounded the alarm about the ramifications of G-2016-21.  We can’t wait to read  our readers comments concerning the amending of city ordinance G-2016-21.